Arlington, MN vs Fertile, MN

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Fertile is 16.4% cheaper than Arlington. With a cost index of 64 vs 74, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Fertile to Arlington should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Arlington is $839/month compared to $783/month in Fertile — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fertile is more affordable at $118,400 median vs $181,600.

Median household income in Arlington is $66,458 compared to $64,444 in Fertile (+3.1%). Arlington does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 15.1% of their income on rent, more than the 14.6% in Fertile.